Former Premier Peter Gutwein to arrive in Hobart after journey of two hundred miles for migrants

Both his big toenails are long-gone and he has nearly been blown away by gale-force winds. But ex-Premier Peter Gutwein will stop at nothing when it comes to a matter close to his heart.

Jack Riewoldt and Peter Gutwein, ahead of Mr Gutwein’s walk from Burnie to Glenorchy to highlight the importance of Tasmania's migrant and refugee community. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Both of his big toenails are long-gone, his feet are beset by blisters, and he has nearly been blown away by gale-force winds.

But former Premier Peter Gutwein will stop at nothing when it comes to a matter close to his heart – the migrant community of Tasmania.

His week-long walk, from the top to bottom of the state, was precipitated by Mr Gutwein’s emotions after reading a news report about violence against Hobart taxi drivers.

“Over the past 18 months in Tasmania, we’ve had reports of racial vilification of UTAS students, we’ve had Indian restaurants that have been vandalised, and then more recently, the reports of taxi drivers that had their cabs damaged and they were racially vilified,” he told the Mercury on the penultimate day of his journey.

Hazel Bros. estimator Darius Strydom, information analyst Ranjana Ghimire, MRC Tas Chair Peter Gutwein, assistant accountant May Aung and managing director Geoffrey Hazell at Glenorchy. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I firmly believe that Tasmania is an inclusive place, a respectful place, but unfortunately at times we let ourselves down.”

Mr Gutwein, the current chair of the Migrant Resource Centre, said his 350km walk was not only aimed at raising funds, but also at starting “positive conversations” about the contributions that migrants make.

He’s also expecting to well-and-truly eclipse his fundraising target of $50,000.

Meanwhile, the ex-Premier is enjoying the sights on his – at times challenging – odyssey.

“My toenails on both feet are gone, I’ve had some bad blisters, but what I’ve learnt on this walk is that blisters won’t kill you and large toenails are overrated,” he said.

Mr Gutwein said his favourite spot to walk so far was the coastline between Burnie and Devonport, as well as observing the agricultural marvels of the Midlands.

Some of the moments haven’t been quite so pleasant.

“I walked through probably the wettest and wildest pieces of weather I’ve ever been out in, on Tuesday morning,” he said.

“We had gale force winds at Elizabeth Town, and about 30ml of rain in three to four hours. I can assure you when a semi-trailer passes you with its spray, in gale-force winds, it was almost like surfing.”

Anyone who wants to join Mr Gutwein on the final 25-minute leg of his journey is invited to meet at Glenorchy’s GASP Pavilion on the Brooker Highway at 10.45am Sunday.

The final celebration and barbecue will be held tomorrow at 11.30am, at the Montrose Foreshore Community Park.

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Originally published as Former Premier Peter Gutwein to arrive in Hobart after journey of two hundred miles for migrants